Mark Warner on Environment

Democratic Jr Senator; previously Governor

Tougher discharge regulations on Chesapeake Bay

Gov. Warner recognized that Virginia had not taken the steps necessary to protect the nation’s largest estuary, the Chesapeake Bay, in the face of growing development. He set out to impose tougher regulations on discharges from wastewater treatment
plants, while increasing the funding available to help meet the new requirements. On both fronts, with bipartisan help, Virginia was successful.

devote additional resources to brownfields efforts. The Department of Environmental Quality currently has only one full time employee,
and no grant or loan programs to assist with site characterization or cleanup.

promote greater utilization in Virginia of a federal program that pays for “site screenings,” a level of investigation less expensive and timelier than a
full-blown “Phase II” environmental assessment.

provide more aggressive marketing of brownfields sites through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, as well as expanded technical assistance in navigating the approval process.

Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001

Preserve open space & control suburban sprawl

Virginia commits far less to open space preservation than many other states. The state has lost an average of 45,000 acres of farmland a year over the last 10 years. As Governor, Mark will implement a clear and comprehensive strategy to preserve open
space from development permanently.

As a businessman, Mark knows that growth is necessary to sustain our economy. But he understands that out-of-control growth can threaten the quality of life in Virginia’s communities.
For too long, state agencies have failed to cooperate sufficiently, and conflicting state policies too often promote suburban sprawl. As Governor, Mark will order his Cabinet secretaries to work together to promote growth in ways that that do not advance
or contribute to the ongoing spread of suburban sprawl. He will target state economic development efforts to projects in inner cities and rural areas, and he will support projects that comply with approved local comprehensive plans.

Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001

Economic prosperity depends on wise use of natural resources

Mark knows that much of Virginia’s economic prosperity depends on wise use of our natural resources and an appropriate balance between our conservation goals and economic priorities. He’s committed to conservation and stewardship of Virginia’s natural
resources. As Governor, Mark Warner’s top priorities will be to:

Restore leadership.

Appoint top professionals.

Ensure access to clean drinking water.

Protect open space.

Control sprawl.

Redevelop Virginia’s cities.

Streamline permitting.

Support planning for rural areas.

Fight out-of-state trash.

Protect Chesapeake Bay.

Conduct natural resources research. As Governor, Mark will demand his natural resources officials compile clear and
comprehensive data on Virginia’s natural resources needs - so that the Commonwealth can develop a realistic conservation plan, one that focuses resources where they can be most useful.

Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001

Voted YES on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems.

Whitehouse Amdt. No. 803 to S.Amdt. 799 to S. 601 (Water Resources Development Act of 2013): To create the National Endowment for the Oceans to promote the protection and conservation of United States ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems.

Proponent's Argument for voting Yes: Mr. WHITEHOUSE: This measure was part of the RESTORE Act, [but] this piece of it fell out of the bargain. If you supported the RESTORE Act, you have already supported this bill. If you believe that deals should be deals in the Senate, then you should support this bill. It is very important that we as a body support this bill. It does not create a single extra bureaucracy or person. It works within the existing government, and it adds no funding.

MississippiRiverDelta.org Summary of RESTORE Act: The Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) dedicates 80% of all
Clean Water Act penalties paid by those responsible for the 2010 gulf oil disaster to Gulf Coast restoration.

Proponent's press release supporting Yes vote: The National Endowment for the Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes Act would provide steady funding that universities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies can count on every year to support research and restoration projects. It would be funded primarily by dedicating 12.5% of revenues from offshore energy development, including oil, gas, and renewable energy. Revenue is generated through offshore lease sales and production based royalty payments. Funds from the Endowment would be distributed through a competitive grant program to fund projects to restore habitat, manage fisheries, plan for sustainable coastal development, enhance ocean monitoring and research activities, acquire coastal properties for preservation, and relocate critical coastal infrastructure.

Warner says, "Warner (D-VA)"

Reference: National Endowment for the Oceans;
Bill S.Amdt. 803
; vote number 13-SV116
on May 8, 2013

Voted NO on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:Rep. OBEY (D, WI-7): The cash for clunkers program has proven even more wildly popular than its strongest supporters had predicted. Just last month, Congress passed the program, which provided up to $4,500 if you trade in your old gas guzzler for a new car that gets better mileage. That was done in the hopes of spurring some new car sales and encouraging people to be a little more environmentally friendly. We provided $1 billion in the supplemental to get it going, enough for about 250,000 sales--which was just about exhausted in one week. This bill transfers $2 billion from the Department of Energy's Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee program, which doesn't expect to award funding until late next year.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. LEWIS (R, CA-41):
In the majority's haste to slam legislation with no time for consideration or amendments, we are now seeing the effects of such shortsighted martial law tactics.

Senator Feinstein tried to negotiate some changes to improve the program but was told that it was this way or the highway. Not one hearing on the Cash for Clunkers program, not one hearing on how the first billion dollars has been spent, not one hearing on how much money the program will need to get through the fiscal year.

Many of my colleagues will say, This is a great program, and it is necessary for the revitalization of the car industry. I'm not really going to argue with those goals. However, are we sure this program is working like it's supposed to? I don't think so. This program has only been up and running 1 week. If that is how the government is going to handle billion-dollar programs affecting all Americans, I ask, Whatever will we do if the administration takes control of our health care system?

Make tax deduction permanent for conservation easements.

Warner signed H.R.1831 & S.812

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for charitable contributions by individuals and corporations of real property interests for conservation purposes. Known in the Senate as the Rural Heritage Conservation Extension Act of 2009.

Rated 40% by HSLF, indicating a mixed voting record on animal welfare.

Warner scores 40% by the Humane Society on animal rights issues

112th Mid-Term Humane Scorecard: The Humane Society Legislative Fund has posted the final version of the 2011 Humane Scorecard, where you can track the performance of your federal lawmakers on key animal protection issues during last year. We rated legislators based on their voting behavior on measures such as agribusiness subsidies, lethal predator control, and the Endangered Species Act; their cosponsorship of priority bills on puppy mills, horse slaughter, animal fighting, and chimps in research; their support for funding the enforcement of animal welfare laws; and their leadership on animal protection.
All of the priority bills whose cosponsorships we're counting enjoy strong bipartisan support; in the House, each of the four now has more than 150 cosponsors.

The Humane Scorecard is not a perfect measuring tool, but creating some reasonable yardstick and allowing citizens to hold lawmakers accountable is central to our work. When the Humane Scorecard comes out each year, it helps clarify how the animal protection movement is doing geographically, by party affiliation, and in other categories. It helps us chart our course for animals by seeing where we have been effective, and where we need to improve.